From Minnesota to the World...
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015 as a 15-year plan for global sustainable development. The SDGs framework includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, and drives efforts at local, national, and global partnership levels. The SDGs offer an inherently integrative and interdisciplinary approach highlighting linkages between ending poverty, improving health and education, and addressing climate change and other environmental degradation.
Universities Role in Supporting the SDGs
Due to their unique position in society as drivers of both innovation and knowledge dissemination, Universities have a critical role to play if we are to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Significantly, Universities can also greatly benefit by engaging in the SDGs.
To get started with the SDGs, a whole-of-university approach is essential for this work and generally starts with the following steps:
- Mapping what is already being done
- Building internal capacity and ownership of the SDGs
- Identifying priorities, opportunities and gaps
- Integrating, implementing and embedding the SDGs within university strategies, policies and plans
- Monitoring, evaluating and communicating actions on the SDGs
How Has the University of Minnesota Responded?
Throughout this website you fill find examples of how the University of Minnesota is responding to both the challenge and opportunity poised by implementing the SDGs across our system--including the establishment of the UMN SDG Initiative in Fall 2019.
What is the UMN SDG Initiative?
The University of Minnesota Sustainable Development Goals Initiative seeks to support and promote transdisciplinary research, teaching, and partnerships to mobilize the resources at the University to advance a more socially and environmentally sustainable future in Minnesota, the U.S., and the globe through grants, information, and opportunities linked to SDG targets and indicators. The Initiative is supported by the Office of Sustainability and is partnering with several administrative units including the Office for Public Engagement and the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance.
Our Approach
Leverage all Corners of the University to achieve state, national and international metrics.
